The Greek Myths Key Stage 2 Resources
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The Greek Myths
Key Stage 2 Resources
In ancient Greek mythology, the Olympians were the gods who presided over every aspect of human
existence after dethroning the Titans who had preceded them. (Image courtesy of Gordon Johnson
via Pixabay)
James Calvert
INM307 Information Resources and Documentation AssignmentIntroduction
This guide contains a collection of resources on an introduction to the Greek myths and
ancient Greek culture. It is intended for teachers and student teachers who are working in
primary education in all local authority maintained schools in England. The guide is designed
to support the education of 7-11 year olds who are being introduced to Greek mythology and
the study of ancient Greek culture through subjects such as English and History at Key Stage
2 (Years 3-6). Many of the resources are also suitable for home use by the pupil, but this
selection is left to the discretion of the teacher.
The resources included in this guide are organised into lower Key Stage 2 (7-9 year olds), and
upper Key Stage 2 (9-11 year olds). When a resource is appropriate for both lower and upper
key stage 2 it has been included twice. The resources are also organised into 3 colour-coded
categories. The first category is intended for sole use by the teacher and student teacher and
is coded blue. The second category is intended for teaching in a classroom or workshop, or
for a presentation or exhibition and is coded green. The third category is intended for
classroom use and for home use by the pupil and is coded yellow.
The guide contains physical resources such as books and museums; and online resources such
as webpages, videos and audio clips. All online resources are freely accessible, but physical
resources such as books would need to be selectively purchased, and not all exhibitions are
free of charge. It is hoped that this guide will support the teacher and encourage the pupil to
continue developing an interest in the Greek myths and ancient Greek culture at later key
stages in their education.
In the Greek myths, Atlas bore the weight of the heavens on his shoulders, a punishment given to him
by Zeus for leading the Titan rebellion against the Olympians. (Image courtesy of Skeptacular via
Pixabay)
2Contents
Lower Key Stage 2 ...................................................................................................................... 4
Introduction to Ancient Greece ..........................................................................................................4
Books ...................................................................................................................................................4
Presentations.......................................................................................................................................6
Workshops ...........................................................................................................................................6
Websites/Webpages ...........................................................................................................................7
Downloadable documents ..................................................................................................................9
Video................................................................................................................................................. 11
Audio ................................................................................................................................................ 13
Upper Key Stage 2 ....................................................................................................................14
Introduction to Ancient Greece ....................................................................................................... 14
Books ................................................................................................................................................ 14
Exhibitions ........................................................................................................................................ 16
Workshops ........................................................................................................................................ 16
Websites/Webpages ........................................................................................................................ 17
Downloadable documents ............................................................................................................... 19
Video................................................................................................................................................. 20
Audio ................................................................................................................................................ 21
In Greek mythology, the Trojan horse was given to the Trojans by the Greeks. It had the appearance
of a gift but was really a war strategy. (Image courtesy of FCIT)
3Lower Key Stage 2
Introduction to Ancient Greece
This guide begins by listing physical and online resources that are suitable for incorporating
into lesson plans for pupils in Lower Key Stage 2 (Years 3-4).
Books
Treasury of Greek Mythology: Classic stories of Gods, Goddesses, Heroes & Monsters by
Donna J. Napoli (National Geographic, 2011)
Source Type: Book
ISBN: 9781426308444
Category: Classroom use
This book has won multiple awards in North America that include the School Library Journal
Best Books of 2011. It is widely used in a classroom environment and is recommended for
children that are 8 years and over.
Make this Greek Temple by Iain Ashman (Usborne Publishing, 2008)
Source Type: Book
ISBN: 0746093527
Category: Classroom use
This book contains cut-out pages that children can glue together to create a Greek temple.
Suitable for children that are 8 years and over.
D’Aulaires Book of Greek Myths by Ingri and Edgar Parin D’Aulaire (Doubleday, 1992)
Source Type: Book
ISBN: 9780440406945
Category: Classroom & home use
First published in 1962, this book is still one of the best introductions to the gods and
goddesses of ancient Greece. It covers the major gods, minor gods and the mortal
descendants of Zeus. Recommended for children that are aged 8 years and over.
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4The Iliad and the Odyssey by Marcia Williams (Walker Books, 2006)
Source Type: Book
ISBN: 1406303488
Category: Classroom & home use
Marcia Williams' popular retelling of two classic epics of ancient Greece that incorporates
comic book style illustrations that make the stories very accessible. Suitable for 7-9 year olds.
Greek Myths by Marcia Williams (Walker Books, 2011)
Source Type: Book
ISBN: 0763653845
Category: Classroom & home use
Marcia Williams' comic strip approach to Greek mythology in this book has proved very
successful for stimulating young minds. Suitable for children up to 9 years old.
A Visitor's Guide to Ancient Greece by Lesley Sims (Usborne Publishing Ltd, 2014)
Source Type: Book
ISBN: 1409566161
Category: Classroom & home use
Lesley Sims’ book is an excellent introduction to life in ancient Greece and is packed with
detail. Suitable for children that are 7 years and over.
The Orchard Book of Greek Myths by Geraldine McCaughrean (Orchard Books, 2013)
Source Type: Book
ISBN: 1408324377
Category: Classroom & home use
This book contains 16 popular Greek myths that follow the adventures of the heroes and
heroines of ancient Greek mythology retold in an accessible storytelling language. Suitable
for children up to the age of 11.
Greek Myths and Legends by Anne Millard and Cheryl Evans (Usborne Publishing, 2007)
Source Type: Book
ISBN: 9780746087190
Category: Classroom & home use
This book is fully illustrated and contains a full index on the gods, goddesses, heroes and
monsters of ancient Greece which makes it ideal for studying mythology or for researching a
project. Suitable for children up to the age of 8.
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5Daily Life in Ancient Greece by Lisa M. Bolt Simons (Capstone Global Publishing)
Source Type: Book
ISBN: 1474717446
Category: Classroom & home use
An accessible and informative book explaining what life was like for adults and children living
in Ancient Greece. Suitable for children up to the age of 8.
Presentations
Presentation: Greek myths (The British Museum)
Source Type: Museum (London)
Category: Presentation
Cost: £1 per pupil
https://www.britishmuseum.org/learning/schools_and_teachers/sessions/greek_myths.asp
x
An interactive presentation at The British Museum that uses images from Athenian pottery
to explain how the Greeks told a story using pictures. Support notes for the presentation are
included here:
https://www.britishmuseum.org/pdf/events/4576_1286_BM_Greekmyths.pdf
Workshops
Ancient Greece: Myths, Gods and Celebrations (Birmingham Museums)
Source Type: Museum (Birmingham)
Category: Workshop
Cost: £4 per pupil
http://www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/school_sessions/167
An interactive session at Birmingham Museums where pupils act out an ancient play based
on a myth using role play, costumes and music.
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6Websites/Webpages
Primary Ancient Greeks (University of Cambridge School Classics Project)
Source Type: Website
Category: Teacher and student teacher resource
http://www.primaryancientgreeks.com/
A very comprehensive resource that contains materials for teaching literacy and history
through Greek myths.
Mensa for Kids (Mensa Foundation)
Source Type: Website
Category: Teacher and student teacher resource
https://www.mensaforkids.org/teach/lesson-plans/an-introduction-to-greek-mythology/
This is a resource guide from the Mensa Foundation that contains six lesson plans for
introducing Greek mythology to children. The plans include lessons on Greek creation
mythology, the Olympian gods and creating your own myth.
Origin and History of the Olympic Games (Scholastic)
Source Type: Website
Category: Teacher and student teacher resource
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/athens_games/history.htm
An online resource that explains the origin and history of the Olympic Games, its principles,
traditions and politics, and how it has been updated for modern times.
Ancient Greeks: Everyday Life, Beliefs and Myths (My Learning)
Source Type: Webpage
Category: Classroom use
https://www.mylearning.org/stories/ancient-greeks-everyday-life-beliefs-and-myths/411
An extremely detailed teaching resource that is an excellent starting point for introducing
ideas about everyday life in Ancient Greece.
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7Ancient Greek (Literacy through Classics Project)
Source Type: Website
Category: Classroom & home use
http://literacythroughclassics.weebly.com/ancient-greek.html
This resource guide has been created by students at Swansea University and contains an
extensive range of resources that can be used in the classroom but are also accessible to
parents and children for home use.
What was it like to live in an ancient Greek family? (BBC Bitesize)
Source Type: Interactive webpage
Category: Classroom & home use
https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/articles/zc8yb9q
This is a high-quality resource already associated with the teaching of History at Key Stage 2
that contains images, text and interactive material on what it was like to live in an ancient
Greek family. Suitable for 7 year olds and over.
Who were the ancient Greeks? (BBC Bitesize)
Source Type: Interactive webpage
Category: Classroom & home use
https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/articles/zxytpv4
This resource is already associated with the teaching of History at Key Stage 2 and presents a
very accessible early history of Ancient Greece. It includes an interactive map that presents
facts on 6 of the ancient cities of this time that include Corinth, Olympia and Sparta.
The ancient Greeks at war (BBC Bitesize)
https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/articles/zckr4wx
Source Type: Interactive webpage
Category: Classroom & home use
This resource is already associated with the teaching of History at Key Stage 2. It contains
images, text and interactive materials on the Greeks at war, and the famous battles of
Marathon, Thermopylae and Salamis. Suitable for 7 year olds and over.
5 Terrifying Tales from Greek Mythology (National Geographic Kids)
Source Type: Webpage
Category: Classroom & home use
https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/history/greece/greek-myths/
A well-presented resource that introduces 5 well-known Greek fables. These include Perseus
and Medusa and The Labours of Heracles.
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8The gods and goddesses of ancient Greece (National Geographic Kids)
Source Type: Webpage
Category: Classroom & home use
https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/history/greece/greek-gods/
A high-quality and well-presented resource that provides information on the gods and
goddesses of Ancient Greece. These include Zeus, Hera and Poseidon.
10 facts about ancient Greece (National Geographic Kids)
Source Type: Webpage
Category: Classroom & home use
https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/history/greece/10-facts-about-the-ancient-
greeks/
A well-presented resource that provides concise information on the formation of Ancient
Greek civilisation nearly 4000 years ago.
Greek Gods and Goddesses (History for kids)
Source Type: Webpage
Category: Classroom and home use
http://www.historyforkids.net/ancient-greek-gods.html
An online resource that contains an introduction to the 12 Olympian gods.
Downloadable documents
English programmes of study – key stages 1 and 2 (National Curriculum in England)
Source Type: PDF
Category: Teacher and student teacher resource
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_
data/file/335186/PRIMARY_national_curriculum_-_English_220714.pdf
In the National Curriculum programme of study for English in Years 3 and 4 it states on page
26 that:
‘Pupils should be taught to recognise themes in what they read, such as the triumph of good
over evil.’
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9History programmes of study - Key stages 1 and 2 (National Curriculum in England)
Source Type: PDF
Category: Teacher and student teacher resource
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_
data/file/239035/PRIMARY_national_curriculum_-_History.pdf
In the National Curriculum programme of study for History at Key Stage 2 it states on page 5
that pupils should increase their knowledge of the following:
‘the legacy of Greek or Roman culture (art, architecture or literature) on later periods in
British history, including the present day’.
‘Ancient Greece - a study of Greek life and achievements and their influence on the western
world.’
Year 3: Ancient Greece (Core Knowledge)
Source Type: PDF
Category: Teacher and student teacher resource
http://www.coreknowledge.org.uk/resources/Resource%20Pack-%20Year%203-
%20Ancient%20Greece-%20Unit%201.pdf
This highly detailed teaching resource contains 5 lesson plans on the following topics: Greek
City States; Athenian Democracy; Sparta; The Persian Wars; the battles of Marathon and
Thermopylae.
Ancient Greek Colouring Sheets (History for kids)
Source Type: PDF
Category: Classroom use
http://www.historyforkids.net/greek-coloring.html
This webpage has a selection of downloadable line drawings of the gods and goddesses that
can be coloured-in.
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10Primary Extra (Primary Extra)
Source Type: PDF
Category: Classroom use
This webpage has a selection of downloadable ‘colouring-in’ materials that have been
included here:
Heracles and the Hydra – Black & White
http://www.primaryextra.co.uk/free_downloads/heracles_hydra_mono.pdf
King Midas and his Golden Touch’ by Gareth Pitchford - Black & White
http://www.primaryextra.co.uk/free_downloads/midas_mono.pdf
The Trojan Horse by Gareth Pitchford - Black & White
http://www.primaryextra.co.uk/free_downloads/trojan_mono.pdf
Video
Who were the ancient Greek gods and heroes? (BBC Bitesize)
Source Type: Interactive webpage/Video [2 mins 49 secs]
Category: Classroom & home use
https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/articles/zgt7mp3
This is a high-quality resource already associated with the teaching of History at Key Stage 2
that introduces the Greek fables. The site contains text and interactive materials. The video
material contains moderate violence, so discernment is required before recommending this
webpage for home use or screening this content in a classroom environment.
How did the Olympic Games begin? (BBC Bitesize)
Source Type: Interactive webpage/Video [2 mins 42 secs]
Category: Classroom & home use
https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/articles/z36j7ty
This is a high-quality resource already associated with the teaching of History at Key Stage 2
that introduces the ancient Olympic Games. The site contains text, interactive materials and
a short video.
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11What do we know about ancient Greek culture? (BBC Bitesize)
Source Type: Interactive webpage/Video [1 min 39 secs]
Category: Classroom & home use
https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/articles/zgpdjxs
This is a high-quality resource already associated with the teaching of History at Key Stage 2
that introduces Greek theatre. The site also contains text on Greek architecture, sculpture
and drama festivals.
How did the ancient Greeks change the world? (BBC Bitesize)
Source Type: Interactive webpage/Videos [1 min 42 secs]; [5 mins 11 secs]
Category: Classroom & home use
https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/articles/z8q8wmn
This is a high-quality resource already associated with the teaching of History at Key Stage 2
that contains two videos. The first short video emphasises the Greek roots of our own culture
and the second slightly longer video focuses on the Greek mathematician Archimedes.
Narcissus (BBC Bitesize)
Source Type: Animation [4 mins 41 secs]
Category: Classroom & home use
https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/clips/zms6n39
This is useful example of vanity and selfishness that can be incorporated into lesson plans.
Midas (BBC Bitesize)
Source Type: Animation
Category: Classroom & home use [4 mins 57 secs]
https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/clips/z7pmhyc
This is a useful example of how to update a mythological fable to present day that can be
incorporated into lesson plans.
Jason and Medea (BBC Bitesize)
Source Type: Animation
Category: Classroom & home use [4 mins 56 secs]
https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/clips/zqh2tfr
This is another example of how to update a mythological fable to present day that can be
incorporated into lesson plans.
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12Audio
Primary History KS2: Ancient Greece (BBC School Radio)
Source Type: Webpages/Audio
Category: Classroom/home use
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03g64rg/clips
A good resource that contains a playlist of audio tracks that introduce 8 well known fables.
These include Persephone and Hades, Theseus and the Minotaur, and Perseus and Medusa.
Clips are between 3 and 6 minutes in length.
KS2 Music: Heroes of Troy (BBC School Radio)
Source Type: Webpages/Audio
Category: Classroom/home use
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05hvb84/clips
Another good resource that contains a playlist of 7 audio tracks on the Heroes of Troy. Clips
are between 6 and 8 minutes in length.
Classical Tales (University of Cambridge Faculty of Education)
Source Type: Website/Audio
Category: Classroom use
http://classictales.educ.cam.ac.uk/
An extensive website of listening and learning resources produced by award-winning
storytellers Hugh Lupton and Daniel Morden. Stories include Aesop’s Fables: Stories of a
Slave and Metamorphoses: Tales of Change. Clips are between 1 and 34 minutes in length.
Ancient Greece for kids (Ducksters)
Source Type: Webpage/Audio
Category: Classroom use
https://www.ducksters.com/history/ancient_greece.php
A detailed resource that contains a large playlist of audio tracks that introduce many facets
of Greek mythology including The Iliad and The Odyssey. Clips are between 3 and 6 minutes
in length.
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13Upper Key Stage 2
Introduction to Ancient Greece
This guide continues by listing physical and online resources that are suitable for
incorporating into lesson plans for pupils in Upper Key Stage 2 (Years 5-6).
Books
Beasts of Olympus: Beast Keeper by Lucy Coats (Picadilly Press, 2015)
Source Type: Book
ISBN: 1848124392
Category: Classroom & home use
The first novel in the popular Beasts of Olympus series, it provides a humorous introduction
to the gods, goddesses and monsters of Greek mythology. The recommended age range is 9-
11 years.
Atticus the Storyteller: 100 Stories from Greece by Lucy Coats (Orion Children’s Books, 2003)
Source Type: Book
ISBN: 0752890395
Category: Classroom & home use
This book was shortlisted for the 2004 BBC Blue Peter Book Award. The recommended age
range is 9-11 years.
Terry Deary’s Best Ever Greek Legends by Terry Deary (Scholastic, 2014)
Source Type: Book
ISBN: 1407147358
Category: Classroom & home use
This book presents classic Greek legends with a modern twist. Suitable for children that are 9
years and over.
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14Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (Puffin, 2013)
Source Type: Book
ISBN: 9780141346809
Category: Classroom & home use
The first best-selling book in the remarkably successful Percy Jackson series. Suitable for
children that are 9 years and over.
Ancient Greece by DK Eyewitness (DK Children, 2014)
Source Type: Book
ISBN: 1409343650
Category: Classroom & home use
This book contains a lot of visual material on Ancient Greece and is part of a larger collection
that supports National Curriculum Key Stage 2 learning. Suitable for children that are 9 years
and over.
Greek Myths by Ann Turnbull (Walker Books, 2012)
Source Type: Book
ISBN: 1406339385
Category: Classroom & home use
This book is beautifully written and illustrated and contains seventeen timeless stories.
Suitable for children that are 9 years and over.
Artemis: Wild Goddess of the Hunt by George O’Connor (Macmillan, 2017)
Source Type: Book
ISBN: 1626725225
Category: Classroom & home use
This graphic novel is written and illustrated by New York Times best-selling author George
O’Connor and is part of his Olympian series. Suitable for children that are 9 years and over.
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15Exhibitions
Ancient Greece: Gods and goddesses (The British Museum)
Source Type: Museum (London)
Category: Exhibition
Cost: Free entry
https://www.britishmuseum.org/learning/schools_and_teachers/resources/all_resources-
1/resource_gods_and_godesses.aspx
The British Museum has a permanent exhibition of Greek artefacts on display that includes
Athenian pottery depicting mythological fables. A resource guide for visiting the museum and
background information on the gods and goddesses are included here:
https://www.britishmuseum.org/PDF/Visit_Greece_Gods_KS2.pdf
https://www.britishmuseum.org/pdf/events/4576_1286_BM_Greekmyths.pdf
Ancient Greeks gallery (Great North Museum Hancock)
Source Type: Museum (Newcastle upon Tyne)
Category: Exhibition
Cost: Free entry
https://greatnorthmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/ancient-greeks
A collection of ancient Greek artefacts that are on permanent display. Pupils can also listen
to stories on the Greek myths from audio recordings.
Workshops
Ancient Greece: myths and monsters (National Museums Liverpool)
Source Type: Museum (Liverpool)
Category: Workshop
Cost: Free entry
http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/schools-and-groups/workshops/ancient-greece-
myths-monsters.aspx
An interactive session at National Museums Liverpool that explores the myths of ancient
Greece. The workshop involves dressing up, role-playing and team games.
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16Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
https://www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/bristol-museum-and-art-gallery/learning/discover-
ancient-greeks/
Source Type: Museum (Bristol)
Category: Workshop
Cost: £5 per pupil
An interactive workshop where fragments of Greek pottery are studied to identify different
Greek fables.
Websites/Webpages
Primary Ancient Greeks (University of Cambridge School Classics Project)
Source Type: Website
Category: Teacher and student teacher resource
http://www.primaryancientgreeks.com/
A very comprehensive resource that contains materials for teaching literacy and history
through Greek myths.
Mensa for Kids (Mensa Foundation)
Source Type: Website
Category: Teacher and student teacher resource
https://www.mensaforkids.org/teach/lesson-plans/an-introduction-to-greek-mythology/
This is a resource guide from the Mensa Foundation that contains six lesson plans for
introducing Greek mythology to children. The plans include lessons on Greek creation
mythology, the Olympian gods and creating your own myth.
Origin and History of the Olympic Games (Scholastic)
Source Type: Website
Category: Teacher and student teacher resource
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/athens_games/history.htm
An online resource that explains the origin and history of the Olympic Games, its principles,
traditions and politics, and how it has been updated for modern times.
Click here to go back to the top of the document
17Gods & Goddesses (The British Museum)
Source Type: Interactive webpage/Animation
Category: Classroom use
http://www.ancientgreece.co.uk/gods/story/sto_set.html
An interactive resource from the British Museum that tells the story of an animal sacrifice
using imagery from the lid of an ancient Greek vase. The sequence concludes with a short
animation that is quite graphic. It is also worth considering that this resource might upset
vegetarians and vegans so discernment should be used when using this teaching resource.
Ancient Greece (The British Museum)
Source Type: Interactive webpage
Category: Classroom use
http://www.ancientgreece.co.uk/gods/explore/exp_set.html
An interactive resource from the British Museum that introduces the 12 Olympian gods
through images of ancient Greek artefacts such as pottery, statues and coins. Discernment
should be used when using this teaching resource.
Gods and Goddesses symbol game (The British Museum)
Source Type: Interactive webpage
Category: Classroom use
http://www.ancientgreece.co.uk/gods/challenge/cha_set.html
An interactive game from the British Museum in which symbols used on ancient artefacts are
matched against pictures that represent these symbols. Discernment should be used when
using this teaching resource.
Greek Mythology (Mythweb)
Source Type: Website
Category: Classroom and home use
http://www.mythweb.com/
An extensive online resource that includes information on the Greek myths and an
encyclopedia on ancient Greek culture.
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18Myths about the Ancient Greek Gods for Kids (Mr Donn)
Source Type: Website
Category: Classroom and home use
https://greece.mrdonn.org/myths.html
An extremely detailed website that contains many Greek fables and background information
on the Gods and Goddesses.
Mythman (Mythman)
Source Type: Website
Category: Classroom and home use
http://mythman.com/
An award-winning Greek mythology homework help site that includes information on
important characters and mythology in modern society.
Greek Mythology (Encyclopedia Mythica)
Source Type: Website
Category: Classroom and home use
https://pantheon.org/mythology/greek/
A high-quality encylopedia with extensive information on Greek mythology.
Downloadable documents
English programmes of study – key stages 1 and 2 (National Curriculum in England)
Source Type: PDF
Category: Teacher and student teacher resource
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_
data/file/335186/PRIMARY_national_curriculum_-_English_220714.pdf
In the National Curriculum programme of study for reading comprehension in English in Years
5 and 6 it states on page 33 that pupils should increase:
‘their familiarity with a wide range of books, including myths, legends and traditional stories,
modern fiction, fiction from our literary heritage, and books from other cultures and
traditions.’
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19History programmes of study - Key stages 1 and 2 (National Curriculum in England)
Source Type: PDF
Category: Teacher and student teacher resource
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_
data/file/239035/PRIMARY_national_curriculum_-_History.pdf
In the National Curriculum programme of study for History at Key Stage 2 it states on page 5
that pupils should increase their knowledge of the following:
‘the legacy of Greek or Roman culture (art, architecture or literature) on later periods in
British history, including the present day.’
‘Ancient Greece – a study of Greek life and achievements and their influence on the western
world.’
The Lightning Thief: A Teacher’s Guide (Rick Riordan)
Source Type: Word document
Category: Teacher and student teacher resource
http://rickriordan.com/resource_type/teachers-guides/
A teacher’s guide for every chapter of the book, The Lightning Thief for teachers who would
like to incorporate this children’s book into Greek mythology lessons.
ClipArt ETC (Florida Center for Instructional Technology)
https://etc.usf.edu/clipart/galleries/87-greek-mythology
Source Type: Website
Category: Teacher and student teacher resource
This resource has a large selection of downloadable images of ancient Greek art that also
contains images on Greek mythology. The resource has a free classroom license but states
that a maximum of fifty images can be downloaded for teaching purposes.
Video
Greek Gods Overview by Matthew Barrett
Source Type: YouTube/Video [7 mins 28 secs]
Category: Classroom use
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=26&v=N5gRZ-C0vOc
An animated introduction to Greek mythology that focuses on the Olympian gods and their
personalities.
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20Minoans (International School History)
Source Type: YouTube/Video [8 mins 1 sec]
Category: Classroom use
A documentary on the Minoan civilization and its connection to the Greek mythology of King
Minos and the Minotaur.
Audio
Ancient Greek Music – The Lyre of Classical Antiquity by Michael Levy
Source Type: YouTube/Audio [9 mins 48 secs]
Category: Classroom use
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elERNFoEf3Y
This audio track features Greek-themed lyre music as well as actual surviving fragments of
the music of ancient Greece.
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21Reflection
My intention was to create a guide that could be legitimately incorporated into subjects
taught in the National Curriculum in England and is intended for teachers and student
teachers. I decided to prepare a guide to information resources on the Greek Myths and
ancient Greek culture because it is a subject that interests me, but also a subject that I have
limited knowledge of. Although I experienced recurring doubts that I do not have the
authority to construct a guide on this subject because I do not have any expertise on ancient
Greece, or experience of teaching in the education system in the UK, I felt that if I kept within
the parameters of learning resources that have already been designated as Key Stage 2 or are
age appropriate, then I would be able to stay on target for producing a legitimate teaching
resource.
I was inspired to undertake this project after reading an article in The Telegraph about
Carnegie Medal-winning author Kevin Crossley-Holland who has been advocating for two
decades that children should be taught a careful selection of the Greek myths in school.
Crossley-Holland believes that myths and legends are models for transmitting values and
virtue by stealth, in which the principles of right and wrong behaviour are revealed, rather
than stated (Furness, 2013).
My original idea was to produce a resource guide that supported the education of children
who are studying ancient Greek culture within subjects such as English, History and Drama at
Key Stage 3, and for young adults who are studying for a GCSE in Ancient History at Key Stage
4. However, I soon discovered that in local authority maintained schools in England, learning
about ancient Greek culture is not compulsory after Key Stage 2 of primary education, and
the majority of state-funded schools do not teach this material at all at Key Stage 3 in
secondary education. This is in stark contrast to most grammar and independent schools that
teach ancient Greek culture as part of Classical Civilisation and Ancient History throughout
the entirety of secondary education. It quickly became apparent that the relationship
between the subject I had chosen and the education system in England is somewhat
politically-charged.
With this in mind I decided to reconfigure my original idea to focus on Key Stage 2 resources,
and still follow my original intention to create a guide that could be legitimately incorporated
into subjects taught in the National Curriculum in England. For the programme of study for
English in Years 3 and 4, the National Curriculum guidelines state that pupils should be made
aware of the ‘the triumph of good over evil’ (Department of Education, 2013, p. 26); and for
Years 5 and 6, pupils should be familiar with myths ‘from other cultures and traditions’
(Department of Education, 2013, p. 33). In the programme of study for History at Key Stage 2
22the guidelines state that pupils should be able to understand the legacy of Greek culture and
‘their influence on the western world’ (Department of Education, 2013, p. 5).
Although I did not adapt any existing guides for this project, I did include and extend the web
resources from An Introduction to Greek Mythology (Mensa for Kids, 2019), and this teaching
resource became the starting point for my assignment. For the construction of the guide,
although there is a vast amount of information on the Greek myths and ancient Greek culture
available on the Internet, I only included educational resources that are already associated
with the teaching of this subject at Key Stage 2, or other high-quality information resources
that are also considered reputable. To fulfil this second criteria, I only included material that
is either well-established, or recommended by other Key Stage 2 resources. As is the case
with history information, a selection of the resources are traditional in nature, with an
emphasis placed on memory institutions, but because the Greek myths and ancient Greek
culture are also taught in primary education, there are a lot of modern resources also included
such as websites, videos and audio clips. I have included a selection of primary and secondary
resources as both are important to teachers and student teachers seeking information in this
domain.
Through my research I discovered lots of subscription sites with downloadable teaching
materials, but I wanted to provide access to resources without having to login as a member
to a paywall or free site. I wanted all the downloadable materials included in the guide to be
both immediate and free of charge, so I excluded resources that utilised paywalls or sites such
as TES that offer free membership after completing an online registration. However, there
was one exception from TES that I was reluctant to exclude because it is such a high-quality
and detailed teaching resource that is available to preview, so I have included it here:
The Labours of Heracles texts and pictures by J.M. Powell (TES)
Source Type: Webpage
Category: Classroom use
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/the-labours-of-heracles-texts-and-pictures-
11062622#
An online resource on the 12 Labours of Heracles that is available to preview and can be
downloaded after registering with TES. The work is under a Share-alike Creative Commons
license which means that the document can only be shared in its original version and not
edited or remixed in any way.
With regards to the presentation of the guide, I was influenced by the black and reddish-
orange colours of ancient Greek pottery, but also by the aesthetic of lined-paper to frame
each annotated resource, in keeping with the theme of note-taking and learning. The guide
23is divided into sections based on physical and online learning materials, but I also wanted to
organise the resources in a way that would assist the teacher and student teacher in the
different ways that the guide can be used. I decided to use the colour-coded scheme of blue,
green and yellow for clarity and simplicity and also included the subheadings of ‘Source Type’,
‘ISBN’ and ‘Category’ for identifying more specific information within the colour-coded
schemes. As the guide is intended to encourage browsing and exploration of the resources, I
think it is best presented online although it is still usable as a printed hard copy. I have
included working hyperlinks that have been ‘live’ for a long time and will hopefully continue
to be so. I have thoroughly enjoyed creating this resource guide and the experience has taught
me a great deal about the importance of resource guide creation, and the ongoing relevance
of the Greek myths and ancient Greek culture in our modern world.
James Calvert
April 2019
References
Department for Education. (2013). The national curriculum in England: English programmes
of study - Key stages 1 and 2. Available at:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_
data/file/335186/PRIMARY_national_curriculum_-_English_220714.pdf (Accessed on 17
March 2019).
Department for Education. (2013). The national curriculum in England: History programmes
of study - Key stages 1 and 2. Available at:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_
data/file/239035/PRIMARY_national_curriculum_-_History.pdf (Accessed on 17 March
2019).
Furness, H. (2013). Children should be taught myths and legends as 'models for a way of life',
author says. Available at:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/booknews/10410270/Children-should-be-
taught-myths-and-legends-as-models-for-a-way-of-life-author-says.html (Accessed on 11
March 2019).
Mensa for Kids (2019). An Introduction to Greek Mythology. Available at:
https://www.mensaforkids.org/teach/lesson-plans/an-introduction-to-greek-mythology/
(Accessed on 17 March 2019)
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